Morphology of larvae exhibits some species variation. Known butterfly fish larvae with conspicuous head spination during post-flexion stage, varying from genus to genus. Chaetodon sp. larvae showing drastic morphological change from pre-flexion to flexion stages (Leis and Rennis, 1983). Post-flexion larvae with posteriorly-directed spine at angle of pre-opercle, head completely encased in bony armor. Second dorsal spine elongate, two rows of melanophores present along mid-lateral line (Chaetodon sp).
Table Chaetodontidae
22 geographic zones